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For Elizabeth Bulloch Burnett, success has never been measured solely by professional accolades, but by the impact she leaves on the place she calls home.
A 1990 graduate of Monticello High School, Burnett’s journey took her far beyond Drew County before ultimately leading her back. After high school, she attended Texas Christian University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in communication graphics in 1994. Though she initially planned to pursue physical therapy, a simple observation from her mother — that she loved to draw — set her on a different path.
That path proved to be the right one.
With guidance from a college professor, Burnett found her niche in graphic design, launching a career that would span more than two decades. Following graduation, she and a fellow alumna founded The Matchbox Studio in Dallas, Texas. Over 21 years, the company grew from the ground up into a thriving firm, serving high-profile clients such as American Airlines and the State Fair of Texas, while also carving out a specialty in opera design, including work with Palm Beach Opera and others.
“I was able to do everything the graphic design world had to offer,” Burnett said.
Despite her success, Burnett felt the pull of home. In 2019, she and her husband, along with their daughters Montre, now 17, and Grace, now 12, made the decision to return to Monticello.
“I wanted my girls to grow up in the country and be able to experience being around my parents,” she said.
The transition was anything but simple. The family built a home on land that has been in Burnett’s family for more than a century in Collins. At the same time, she sold her share of The Matchbox Studio, shifted careers, and enrolled her children in new schools — all just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought additional uncertainty.
Even amid those challenges, Burnett found new purpose.
She joined her father, the late Bud Bulloch, in the family business, Bulloch Real Estate, where she now works in property management — a field she describes as “near and dear” to her heart. Known throughout Drew County, the business provides both residential and commercial rental properties, with a reputation built on longevity and personal service.
“We do what we have to do to make the individuals as comfortable as possible,” Burnett said. “We try to take care of our tenants.”
Burnett’s return home also brought profound personal loss. She lost both of her parents just seven months apart — her father in 2022 and her mother in 2023. In the face of that loss, she has remained committed to honoring their memory, carrying forward the values they instilled and continuing the work they began in both family and business.
At the same time, Burnett never left her creative roots behind. Since returning home, she has provided branding and design work for several local businesses and organizations, including SEARK Eye Care, Shine Dance Studio, Woodside Medical, and SEARK Children’s, as well as clients in Dallas. She also led the rebranding of SEARK Concerts and serves on its board, co-chairing set design.
Her artistic influence extends even further into the community. Burnett serves on the Monticello Country Club board, where she also spearheaded rebranding efforts, and is an active member of First United Methodist Church of Monticello. There, she contributes her talents through art projects for Vacation Bible School and additional design work for the church.
Most recently, Burnett combined her business sense and creativity to launch a unique Airbnb, “The Vault,” located at 102 N. Church St. The two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath rental incorporates the building’s history as a former bank, featuring the original vault — now repurposed as a pantry — and exposed brick walls that give the space a modern industrial feel.
Through it all, Burnett has found balance by leaning on her support system and setting aside time for family, including taking Fridays off whenever possible.
When challenges arise, she turns to her faith.
“Prayer,” she said, when asked what motivates her on tough days.
For those considering a career in graphic design, Burnett offers simple but meaningful advice: “If you have a passion for something, go for it. Put your heart into it and it will work. Follow your dreams.”
Yet when asked about her greatest accomplishment, Burnett doesn’t point to her long list of professional achievements.
“Both of my girls,” she said.
It’s that perspective — a blend of ambition, humility and deep-rooted love for her community — that makes Burnett a true hometown hero.
“I love the hometown feel,” she said. “Wherever you go, you see someone you know. I love the people.”
